The Third European Ecumenical Assembly, currently underway in Romania, is set to debate a petition on the situation in Cyprus, as the only European country with European citizens who are war refugees and occupation forces on its territory.
A Church of Cyprus delegation is participating in the meeting, attended by more than two thousand delegates, which brings together Christian leaders from across Europe and its central theme is “The light of Christ enlightens everybody! Hope for renewal and unity in Europeâ€.
The Cypriot participants will have the right to vote in the joint decisions the Assembly will take.
The petition, put forward for discussion at the forum dealing with refugee issues in Europe, notes that Turkey invaded Cyprus in July 1974 in violation of the UN Charter and as a result approximately 40 per cent of the total territory of the Republic of Cyprus came under Turkish occupation and about 40 per cent of the Greek Cypriots were displaced.
“That Turkey committed atrocities in the course of its invasion is not surprising at all in view of its record in the Balkans, Syria, Armenia and in Anatolia and its long standing policies of population expulsion and transfer and of discrimination against non Turkish ethnic groups,†the petition says.
The petition refers to judgments by the European Court of Human Rights against Turkey, which was found guilty of continuous violation of human rights in Cyprus. There are also references to decisions by other international bodies, including the UN General Assembly, the Non Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth and the European Parliament.
“Turkish troops continue to prevent the refugees from returning to their homes. Turkey flagrantly violates the basic human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Greek Cypriots, and systematically directs its efforts against the cultural heritage of the occupied areas as part of its policy to eradicate and destroy any proof of the 9,000 year old Cypriot history and culture,†it adds.
Finally, it is pointed out that Turkey follows a policy and methods of “ethnic cleansing†at the very time when it wants to join the European Union.
Cypriot theologian George Kakouras, member of the church delegation to the meeting, has told CNA that participants can submit issues for discussion at the various fora of the conference which can be carried forward for debate at the General Assembly of the meeting.
“We have handed in a petition at the forum which is dealing with refugee issues in Europe,†he explained.
The Cyprus Church delegation participated in the forum which discussed xenophobia, racism, marginalization of people and other related issues.
The General Assembly will hold its debate tomorrow afternoon and concluded the same evening.
